FALL 2017/2018

GENERAL PHYSICS II:

Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Sampoerna

University
Gauss’s Law

Gauss’ law relates the electric fields at points on a

(closed) Gaussian surface to the
net charge enclosed by that surface
FLUX
Φ The volume flow rate depends on the angle between 𝑣 and the plane of the loop.

If 𝑣 is perpendicular to the plane, the rate is equal to v A.

If it is parallel to the plane of the loop, no air moves through the loop, so 𝑣 is zero
For an intermediate angle θ, the rate depends on the component of
normal to the plane

The word “flux” comes from the Latin word meaning “to flow.”

rate of flow through an area is an example of a flux—a volume flux

Flux
Gaussian surface immersed in a nonuniform electric field

Divide the surface into small squares of area A, each square being small enough
to permit us to neglect any curvature and to consider the individual square to be
flat

Area vector 𝐴, magnitude is the area A

The flux of the electric field for the Gaussian surface

This equation instructs us to visit each square on the Gaussian surface, evaluate
the scalar product for the two vector and sum the results algebraically (that is,
with signs included) for all the squares that make up the surface.
The exact definition of the flux of the electric field through a closed surface is found by allowing
The area of the squares shown in Fig. 23-3 to become smaller and smaller, approaching a
differential limit dA.
The area vectors then approach a differential limit .
The sum of Eq. 23-3 then becomes an integral:

The flux of the electric field is a scalar, and its SI unit is the
newton square-meter per coulomb (N • m2/C).

the integration in Eq. 23-4 is carried out over a Gaussian surface, which is
closed, we see that The electric flux φ through a Gaussian surface is
proportional to the net number of electric field lines passing through that
surface.
Example:
Example:
Gauss’ Law

Gauss’ law relates the net flux φ of an electric field through a closed surface (a Gaussian surface) to the net
charge qenc that is enclosed by that surface

substituting Eq. 23-4, the definition of flux, we can also write Gauss’ law as

The above equations only for the net charge is located in a vacuum or (what is the same for most practical purposes)
in air.
the net charge qenc is the algebraic sum of all the enclosed positive and negative charges, and it
can be positive, negative, or zero.
If qenc is positive, the net flux is outward; if qenc is negative, the net flux is inward
Gauss’ Law
Surface S1. The electric field is outward for all points on this surface. Thus, the
flux of the electric field through this surface is positive, and so is the net
charge within the surface, as Gauss’ law requires. (That is, in Eq. 23-6, if is
positive, qenc must be also.)

Surface S2. The electric field is inward for all points on this surface.Thus, the flux of
the electric field through this surface is negative and so is the enclosed charge, as
Gauss’ law requires.

Surface S3. This surface encloses no charge, and thus qenc 0. Gauss’ law (Eq.
23-6) requires that the net flux of the electric field through this surface be
zero. That is reasonable because all the field lines pass entirely through the
surface, entering it at the top and leaving at the bottom.

Surface S4. This surface encloses no net charge, because the enclosed positive
and negative charges have equal magnitudes. Gauss’ law requires
that the net flux of the electric field through this surface be zero. That is
reasonable because there are as many field lines leaving surface S4 as entering
Example :
Gauss’ Law and Coulomb’s Law
A Charge Insulator Conductor
One end cap is fully inside the conductor, the other is fully outside, and the cylinder
is perpendicular to the conductor’s surface

The electric field 𝐸 at and just outside the conductor’s surface must also be
perpendicular to that surface

There is no flux through the internal end cap, because the electric field within the
conductor is zero.

There is no flux through the curved surface of the cylinder, because internally (in
the conductor) there is no electric field and externally the electric field is parallel to
the curved portion of the Gaussian surface

The only flux through the Gaussian surface is that through the external end cap,
where is perpendicular to the plane of the cap

The flux through the cap is EA, and that is the net flux through the Gaussian
surface.
If s is the charge per unit area, then qenc is equal to sA.When we substitute sA for
qenc and EA for , Gauss’ law
A Charge Insulator Conductor

The only flux through the Gaussian surface is that through the external end cap,
where is perpendicular to the plane of the cap

The flux through the cap is EA, and that is the net flux through the Gaussian
surface.

If 𝜎 is the charge per unit area, then qenc is equal to 𝜎A.When we substitute 𝜎A for
qenc and EA for φ Gauss’ law
Application of Gauss’ Law
Cylindrical Symmetry
Figure shows a section of an infinitely long cylindrical plastic rod with a
uniform positive linear charge density λ . Let us find an expression for the
magnitude of the electric field 𝐸 at a distance r from the axis of the rod

The flux of 𝐸 through this cylindrical surface is

There is no flux through the end caps because 𝐸, being radially

directed, is parallel to the end caps at every point.

The charge enclosed by the surface is λ h, which means Gauss’ law,

Application of Gauss’ Law
Planar Symmetry : Non-Conducting Sheet

Figure 23-15 shows a portion of a thin, infinite, nonconducting sheet with a uniform
(positive) surface charge density 𝜎.

A sheet of thin plastic wrap, uniformly charged on one side, can serve as a simple
model. Let us find the electric field a distance r in front of the sheet
Application of Gauss’ Law
Planar Symmetry : Conducting Sheet
outside the plate this charge sets up an electric field of magnitude E
=𝜎1/𝜀0

the excess charge on one plate attracts the excess

charge on the other plate, and all the excess charge moves onto
the inner faces of
the plates as in Fig. 23-16c.

With twice as much charge now on each inner face, the

new surface charge density (call it s) on each inner face is twice
s1.Thus, the electric
field at any point between the plates has the magnitude
Example:
Example: